Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix

Semi homemade apple cobbler with cake mix yellow, white or spice is great. Easy dessert with fresh apples you can dump together and bake. If you loved our apple cake with Bisquick you should try this yellow cake mix hack too.

Cake Mix Apple Cobbler

Yes we have made apple desserts from scratch like our applesauce spice cake and that is beyond delicious. It too has many of the same ingredients except the batter is homemade. When you don’t have time for all of that you can get the same moist flavors using a box of dry mix. A hack we have been using for years, now the secret is out. 😉

Great thing about this is that you can use different flavors of mix, and other fruits as well. Our cake mix peach cobbler is the perfect example of that. Only have canned fruit? That is what we used for that one to make it even simpler to throw together.

Apple Cobbler Dump Cake with Fresh Apples

There are many varieties out there to choose from, like our blueberry cobbler with cake mix and beyond. Each has a different taste and texture. To counteract the sweetness I would choose green Granny Smith personally.

They will stay a bit firm, not break down when baked in the heat and give it a bit of tart with the sugar.

How do you slice apples?

1. Wash the apple: Before slicing, make sure to wash it thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or residue.
2. Peel the apple: If you are baking with them, like in this case, you would want to use a peeler to remove and discard the skins.
3. Cut the apple in half: Hold it firmly and cut it in half from top to bottom using a sharp knife. Make sure to cut straight through the core.
4. Remove the core: Use a spoon or a knife to remove the middle with seeds from each half, you can also use an apple corer to make this process easier.
5. Slice the apple: Once you have removed the core, place each half flat side down on a cutting board. Hold with one hand and use a sharp knife to slice into thin, even slices.
   • if dicing small to break down and make something like our zucchini applesauce muffins pile a few slices and chop smaller
6. Serve or store: After slicing, you can enjoy it immediately or toss with cinnamon and brown sugar to coat in the first step listed below.

We follow the same process when making Instant Pot apple crisp. The thinner they are the softer they will get so depending on what texture you’re going for should determine how wide they should be sliced.

Caramel Apple Cobbler with Cake Mix

1 9×13 pan is what you’re going to need to make this one. You are NOT going to follow the instructions to make cake batter on the back of the box. Instead you want it to be much thicker. Use the ingredients listed below and in the recipe card below.

Ingredients

• 4 granny smith apples peeled and sliced
• 1 box cake mix and butter
  • 15 oz box, yellow used but spice would be great too
• Brown sugar makes it sweet
• 1 tsp cinnamon gives it a Fall flavor
• 1/2 c oats adds to the texture
• Milk or dairy free alternative like almond or lactose free variety

Do you have to remove apple skin to make cobbler?

It isn’t a must that you would have to remove the peels to make this cake mix cobbler, but baked apple skins aren’t super appetizing. Instead use a hand peeler or there is an attachment on a Kitchen Aid that will do it faster. I will say we did buy this to try it and though it is faster it is just something else you have to wash. It does take a while to attach each one too so not sure how time saving it really is.

Can you use apple pie filling instead of fresh apples?

In this case yes, you’d need to follow our apple cobbler recipe with apple pie filling for that style. Typically I make that version with spice dry cake mix during the holidays. A great Fall dessert if you want zero prep with vanilla ice cream on top. When I am completely overwhelmed I will go for that version but this is great when I have the time.

How to Make Apple Cobbler Dump Cake

• In a large bowl, stir together apple slices, brown sugar, cinnamon and a sprinkle of salt.
• Spread the mixture into a preferred baking dish sprayed with non stick spray. 
  • (I used a 9 x 13 pan)
• In a separate bowl, combine cake mix, oats (if using), melted butter and milk. 
• Mix until you have a smooth batter.
• Spread the cake mixture over the seasoned apples. 
• Bake at 350 degrees F. for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. 
• If you use a smaller/deeper pan, you may need to increase your time. 
• Serve with preferred vanilla ice cream

Aaaaaand there you have this apple dump cake recipe in a snap. Another idea for a topping, if you think it needs something else would be a bit of frosting. You can do that two ways; either melt a tub and spoon some over the top or whisk together powdered sugar with a bit of milk.

Both add moisture and sweetness to the dish. Just one of our many box cake mix hacks we love to do.

How to Reheat Leftovers

Make sure you store leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container or wrapped with foil. Slice a piece off, put on a microwave safe dish and add a bit of glaze or a tbsp of milk over the top. Then heat for 1 minute to warm again and moisten it back up again to enjoy for a second go around. A spoonful of ice cream will work to add moisture too.

Other fresh apple recipe you’ll love

Like our old fashioned fresh apple cake recipe it’s best right out of the oven fresh or if warmed up to add some moisture to the insides and top. If you have leftovers it is a good idea to add a bit of something so it doesn’t dry out when heating for a second time.